China increases Zika screening at borders

CCTV News

China is intensifying it’s body-screens for the Zika virus at all its borders as cases rise in the country. The country has reported it’s eighth case of the virus; the latest person infected may have contracted it while on a trip to South America. CCTV reporter Hou Yun, reports from Beijing International Airport.

China increases Zika screening at borders

China increases Zika screening at borders

China is intensifying it's body-screens for the Zika virus at all its borders as cases rise in the country. The country has reported it's eighth case of the virus; the latest person infected may have contracted it while on a trip to South America. CCTV reporter Hou Yun, reports from Beijing International Airport.

Before passengers exit flights and head to their homes and hotels, they must go through a through inspections for the Zika virus. If a passenger has traveled to an epidemic area, they must be screened twice.

Body temperature detectors first screen the arriving passengers of international flights. Those whose body temperature exceed 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) will be taken to a simple testing center operating 24/7 right beside the border checks for further examinations.

For those whose temperatures are higher than 37.3 degrees Celsius, and have been to the epidemic areas or been in contact with Zika, inspectors will obtain blood and urine samples for testing, said Physician Di Mingzhi of the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. Positive samples will be sent to professional institutions for final confirmation.

“We have launched several major measures to tackle the spread of Zika virus, including double-checking passengers from epidemic areas, releasing brochures in six languages, and having mosquito eradication for aircraft,” Wang Zheng, deputy chief of the Beijing Airport Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said.

The bureau has also stepped up efforts to clean and disinfect jet bridges, and floors and are closely monitoring mosquitoes and other insects to make sure the population density is within national limits, added Cao Jianzhong of the bureau.

On Wednesday, national health authorities warned that as the weather gets warmer the threat of Zika contraction could increase, and so will inspections.